Trip Report: Skokie Lagoons Canoe Trip - 2013 June 3

On June 2, a hearty bunch braved the cold and rain for birding, canoeing, and kayaking on the Skokie Lagoons. Escorted by Ryan Chew of Chicago River Canoe & Kayak and his able assistant Martha, we geared up at the Tower Road launch site. Except for the large species such as ducks and herons and the swallows, viewing was extremely difficult due to the mist and rain. 

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Trip Report: Kirtland's Warbler - MI weekend trip - 2013 May 25 - 27

A group of 11 Chicago area birders joined me in pursuit of the Kirtland"s Warbler in Grayling, and in exploring birds in Iosco County, Michigan, over Memorial Day weekend. We were joined by Bill Rapai, the author of "The Kirtland's Warbler" for dinner on Sunday and a field trip on Monday. In three days, we saw 130 different species of birds, including Piping Plovers, Ruffed Grouse, nesting Ospreys, American Bittern, and twenty species of warblers. It was great fun with a great group of people.

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Goose Pond FWA Reports Record Day for Waterfowl

The day featured a massive migratory influx of ducks and geese. A truly historic day for the Goose Pond FWA wetland restoration. An almost "perfect storm" of superb wetland food crops, usable water levels for dabbling ducks, and ideal weather conditions probably helped to concentrate the ducks and geese staging at Goose Pond on February 12.

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Trip Report: Lisle Arboretum Christmas Bird Count - 2012 December 14

The 64th Lisle Arboretum (ILLA) Christmas Bird Count was held Sunday, 16 Dec 2012. We had what I believe was a record number of participants this year, with over 100 field counters plus several more feeder watchers. We came close to, but fell one species short, of a count record with 86 species reported, and two additional species (so far) were seen during count week. The previous record high count of 87 species was set in 2009. 

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Field TripLindsay Wilkes
COS Centenary Dinner and Lisle Arboretum Christmas Bird Count on December 14

On Sunday, December 16, 2012 join one of the Chicagoland area’s most active Christmas Bird Counts. More than 75 people volunteer their time on a wintery Sunday to count birds from before dawn until dusk. The long day of counting birds is followed by a great Count Dinner that is free to all count participants as the culmination of the Chicago Ornithological Society’s centennial celebration. 

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